Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
57m
Distance
42.1 mi
68 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Owings Mills, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Annapolis, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Owings Mills to Annapolis is a straightforward 42.1-mile trip that typically takes about 57 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance, it serves perfectly as a quick day trip rather than requiring an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate a mix of the Northwest Expressway, the Baltimore Beltway, and I-97 to reach your destination. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $7, this route is an economical choice for a quick excursion within Maryland. Whether you are heading to the coast for the day or commuting between regions, the drive offers a balanced pace that fits easily into a single day’s schedule.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 57m. Total distance: 42.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition from the suburban corridors of Owings Mills toward the capital. With 48% of the journey spent on highways, the route balances urban navigation with faster stretches of road. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted segment of 16.7 miles specifically on I-97, which allows for a consistent flow before you reach your final destination. The road personality shifts from busy beltway interchanges to more focused highway driving, keeping the experience varied behind the wheel. It is an efficient, functional route that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 42.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 57m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 795 South: Baltimore, Northwest Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 695 South: Glen Burnie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward MD 70: Rowe Boulevard, Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland Fire-Rescue Memorial, Historic Annapolis State Capital
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 70 : Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 97 | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| Northwest Expressway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| John Hanson Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Roscoe Rowe Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Owings Mills Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Northwest Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| School Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Owings Mills, MD and Annapolis, MD.
Start on MD 140
Turn slight left
Turn straight onto MD 940
Turn straight onto Owings Mills Boulevard
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 795
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 695
Take the exit
Continue on I 97
Keep slight left at fork onto I 97
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 50; US 301
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto MD 70
Keep slight right at fork onto Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
Turn left onto Northwest Street
Enter roundabout onto School Street
Continue on School Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.1 mi from Owings Mills, MD · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21.1 miles from Owings Mills, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Annapolis, MD if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.98 one way
$13.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.64 | $15.29 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.16 | $16.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.30 | $18.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.42 | $2.02 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.68 | $1.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.89 | $2.69 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Owings Mills on Thursday
Local time
2:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Afternoon in Annapolis on Thursday
Local time
2:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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